maddening crowd/madding crowd
When Thomas Hardy titled one of his novels Far from the Madding Crowd he was quoting a phrase from Thomas Gray’s 1750 poem “Elegy on a Country Churchyard” which used the archaic spelling “madding.” The only reason to refer to “madding crowds” is to show how sophisticated you are, but if you update the spelling to “maddening” it will have the opposite effect: you’ll look ignorant.
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The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Not a bunch of baloney: Ben Zimmer gets to the meat of the issue" (May 3, 2013). Bonus tie-in: Ben Zimmer is an uncredited contributor to William, James & Company's own Far from the Madding Gerund.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Thursday, August 28, 2014
their’s/theirs: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, August 28, 2014
their’s/theirs
Like the related possessive pronouns “ours,” “his,” and “hers,” “theirs” does not take an apostrophe.
Like the related possessive pronouns “ours,” “his,” and “hers,” “theirs” does not take an apostrophe.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
behaviors/behavior: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, August 27, 2014
behaviors/behavior
“Behavior” has always referred to patterns of action, including multiple actions, and did not have a separate plural form until social scientists created it. Unless you are writing in psychology, sociology, anthropology, or a related field, it is better to avoid the use of “behaviors” in your writing.
“Behavior” has always referred to patterns of action, including multiple actions, and did not have a separate plural form until social scientists created it. Unless you are writing in psychology, sociology, anthropology, or a related field, it is better to avoid the use of “behaviors” in your writing.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
wash: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, August 26, 2014
wash
In my mother’s Oklahoma dialect, “wash” was pronounced “warsh,” and I was embarrassed to discover in school that the inclusion of the superfluous R sound was considered ignorant. This has made me all the more sensitive now that I live in Washington to the mispronunciation “Warshington.” Some people tell you that after you “warsh” you should “wrench” (“rinse”).
In my mother’s Oklahoma dialect, “wash” was pronounced “warsh,” and I was embarrassed to discover in school that the inclusion of the superfluous R sound was considered ignorant. This has made me all the more sensitive now that I live in Washington to the mispronunciation “Warshington.” Some people tell you that after you “warsh” you should “wrench” (“rinse”).
Monday, August 25, 2014
zero-sum gain/zero-sum game: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, August 25, 2014
zero-sum gain/zero-sum game
The concept of a zero-sum game was developed first in game theory: what one side gains the other loses. When applied to economics it is often contrasted with a “win-win” situation in which both sides can make gains without anyone losing. People who are unaware of the phrase’s origins often mistakenly substitute “gain” for “game.”
The concept of a zero-sum game was developed first in game theory: what one side gains the other loses. When applied to economics it is often contrasted with a “win-win” situation in which both sides can make gains without anyone losing. People who are unaware of the phrase’s origins often mistakenly substitute “gain” for “game.”
Friday, August 22, 2014
got/gotten: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, August 22–24, 2014
got/gotten
In the UK, the old word “gotten” dropped out of use except in such stock phrases as “ill-gotten” and “gotten up,” but in the US it is frequently used as the past participle of “get.” Sometimes the two are interchangeable; however, “got” implies current possession, as in “I’ve got just five dollars to buy my dinner with.” “Gotten,” in contrast, often implies the process of getting hold of something: “I’ve gotten five dollars for cleaning out Mrs. Quimby’s shed,” emphasizing the earning of the money rather than its possession. Phrases that involve some sort of process usually involve “gotten”: “My grades have gotten better since I moved out of the fraternity.” When you have to leave, you’ve got to go. If you say you’ve “gotten to go” you’re implying someone gave you permission to go.
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It looks like "chomp" has gotten the best of "champ," according to Paul Brians' latest blog post.
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Literally comical" (August 22, 2013).
In the UK, the old word “gotten” dropped out of use except in such stock phrases as “ill-gotten” and “gotten up,” but in the US it is frequently used as the past participle of “get.” Sometimes the two are interchangeable; however, “got” implies current possession, as in “I’ve got just five dollars to buy my dinner with.” “Gotten,” in contrast, often implies the process of getting hold of something: “I’ve gotten five dollars for cleaning out Mrs. Quimby’s shed,” emphasizing the earning of the money rather than its possession. Phrases that involve some sort of process usually involve “gotten”: “My grades have gotten better since I moved out of the fraternity.” When you have to leave, you’ve got to go. If you say you’ve “gotten to go” you’re implying someone gave you permission to go.
___________
It looks like "chomp" has gotten the best of "champ," according to Paul Brians' latest blog post.
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Literally comical" (August 22, 2013).
Thursday, August 21, 2014
leach/leech: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, August 21, 2014
leach/leech
Water leaches chemicals out of soil or color out of cloth; your brother-in-law leeches off the family by constantly borrowing money to pay his gambling debts (he behaves like a bloodsucking leech).
Water leaches chemicals out of soil or color out of cloth; your brother-in-law leeches off the family by constantly borrowing money to pay his gambling debts (he behaves like a bloodsucking leech).
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
outcast/outcaste: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, August 20, 2014
outcast/outcaste
Believe it or not, these two similar words have very different origins. An “outcast” is someone who has been cast (thrown) out of a group, and may be used loosely of all kinds of loners.
An “outcaste” is technically a South Asian person who has been expelled from his or her caste, or a person who lacks a caste identification. Although this spelling can be used metaphorically, it is probably better to confine it to discussions of social relations in Hinduism and other South Asian contexts.
Believe it or not, these two similar words have very different origins. An “outcast” is someone who has been cast (thrown) out of a group, and may be used loosely of all kinds of loners.
An “outcaste” is technically a South Asian person who has been expelled from his or her caste, or a person who lacks a caste identification. Although this spelling can be used metaphorically, it is probably better to confine it to discussions of social relations in Hinduism and other South Asian contexts.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
de rigueur: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, August 19, 2014
de rigueur
The French phrase de rigueur means “required,” “mandatory” (usually according to custom, etiquette, or fashion). It’s one of those tricky words like “liqueur” with a U before the E and another one after it. It is misspelled in a host of ways (de rigeur, de rigor, derigor, etc.) It is pronounced duh-ree-GUHR. Like other incompletely adopted foreign phrases, it is usually italicized in print.
The French phrase de rigueur means “required,” “mandatory” (usually according to custom, etiquette, or fashion). It’s one of those tricky words like “liqueur” with a U before the E and another one after it. It is misspelled in a host of ways (de rigeur, de rigor, derigor, etc.) It is pronounced duh-ree-GUHR. Like other incompletely adopted foreign phrases, it is usually italicized in print.
Monday, August 18, 2014
graffiti: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, August 18, 2014
graffiti
Graffiti is an Italian plural form. One scrawl on a wall is a graffito. But few English speakers are aware of this distinction and say things like “there’s a graffiti on the storefront.” This is not usually considered incorrect, but people who know Italian may disapprove, so you might want to use the word only in the plural.
Graffiti is an Italian plural form. One scrawl on a wall is a graffito. But few English speakers are aware of this distinction and say things like “there’s a graffiti on the storefront.” This is not usually considered incorrect, but people who know Italian may disapprove, so you might want to use the word only in the plural.
Friday, August 15, 2014
you: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, August 15–17, 2014
you
The second person has perfectly legitimate uses, even when you are not directly addressing another specific person as I am doing in this sentence (I am addressing you, the reader). One example is the giving of directions: “to reach the Pegasus Coffee House, you drive west on Winslow Way to Madison, turn left to the end of Madison, then turn right onto Parfitt Way, and you’ll see Pegasus on your left.”
It is also commonly used in an indefinite way, where a more formal writer might use “one”: “You can eat all you want at Tiny’s salad bar.”
It can be disorienting to switch from first person to second: “I always order pizza with extra cheese because you know that otherwise they’re not going to give you enough.” But sometimes such a switch works well to broaden the context of a sentence. For example: “I hate living in the dorm because other people always want to party when you’re trying to study.” The first part of the sentence is specifically about feelings of the speaker, but the second part is about a general pattern which affects many other people who can plausibly be referred to as “you.”
Because the use of the second person conveys an intimate, casual tone, many teachers discourage its use in class essays, feeling that it gives an unsophisticated air to student prose. Be careful about using it in such essays unless you know that your teacher approves.
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Uses of the Oxford English Dictionary" (April 26, 2011).
The second person has perfectly legitimate uses, even when you are not directly addressing another specific person as I am doing in this sentence (I am addressing you, the reader). One example is the giving of directions: “to reach the Pegasus Coffee House, you drive west on Winslow Way to Madison, turn left to the end of Madison, then turn right onto Parfitt Way, and you’ll see Pegasus on your left.”
It is also commonly used in an indefinite way, where a more formal writer might use “one”: “You can eat all you want at Tiny’s salad bar.”
It can be disorienting to switch from first person to second: “I always order pizza with extra cheese because you know that otherwise they’re not going to give you enough.” But sometimes such a switch works well to broaden the context of a sentence. For example: “I hate living in the dorm because other people always want to party when you’re trying to study.” The first part of the sentence is specifically about feelings of the speaker, but the second part is about a general pattern which affects many other people who can plausibly be referred to as “you.”
Because the use of the second person conveys an intimate, casual tone, many teachers discourage its use in class essays, feeling that it gives an unsophisticated air to student prose. Be careful about using it in such essays unless you know that your teacher approves.
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Uses of the Oxford English Dictionary" (April 26, 2011).
Thursday, August 14, 2014
partake/participate: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, August 14, 2014
partake/participate
“Partake” looks like it might mean “take part,” and that’s how many people mistakenly use it where they should say “participate.” The main modern meaning of “partake” is “consume,” especially in relation to food. One can partake of the refreshments at a party, but one can also partake of Twinkies at home alone, without any thought of sharing.
So don’t ask people to “partake” in a planning process when you mean to ask them to participate.
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Partake of Paul Brians' latest blog post—it is not substance-free!
“Partake” looks like it might mean “take part,” and that’s how many people mistakenly use it where they should say “participate.” The main modern meaning of “partake” is “consume,” especially in relation to food. One can partake of the refreshments at a party, but one can also partake of Twinkies at home alone, without any thought of sharing.
So don’t ask people to “partake” in a planning process when you mean to ask them to participate.
______________
Partake of Paul Brians' latest blog post—it is not substance-free!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
broke/broken: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, August 13, 2014
broke/broken
When you break something, it’s broken, not “broke,” though a person or organization which has run out of money can be said in informal speech to be “broke.” Otherwise, use “broke” only as the simple past tense of “break,” without a helping verb: “Azfar broke the record,” but “The record was broken by Azfar.”
When you break something, it’s broken, not “broke,” though a person or organization which has run out of money can be said in informal speech to be “broke.” Otherwise, use “broke” only as the simple past tense of “break,” without a helping verb: “Azfar broke the record,” but “The record was broken by Azfar.”
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
use to/used to: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, August 12, 2014
use to/used to
Because the D and the T are blended into a single consonant when this phrase is pronounced, many writers are unaware that the D is even present and omit it in writing.
Because the D and the T are blended into a single consonant when this phrase is pronounced, many writers are unaware that the D is even present and omit it in writing.
Monday, August 11, 2014
agreeance/agreement: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, August 11, 2014
agreeance/agreement
When you agree with someone you are in agreement.
When you agree with someone you are in agreement.
Friday, August 8, 2014
death nail/death knell, nail in the coffin: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, August 8–10, 2014
death nail/death knell, nail in the coffin
“Death nail” is a result of confusing two expressions with similar meanings.
The first is “death knell.” When a large bell (like a church bell) rings—or tolls—it knells. When a bell is rung slowly to mark the death of someone, it is said to sound the death knell. But “death knell” is more often used figuratively, as in “his arrest for embezzlement sounded the death knell for Rob’s campaign to be state treasurer.”
Another way to describe the final blow that finishes someone or something off is “put the last nail in the coffin,” as in “a huge budget cut put the last nail in the coffin of the city’s plan to erect a statue of the mayor’s dog.” Something not yet fatal but seriously damaging can be said to “drive another nail” in its coffin.
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The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Giving an Example an Indian Flavor" (November 15, 2013).
“Death nail” is a result of confusing two expressions with similar meanings.
The first is “death knell.” When a large bell (like a church bell) rings—or tolls—it knells. When a bell is rung slowly to mark the death of someone, it is said to sound the death knell. But “death knell” is more often used figuratively, as in “his arrest for embezzlement sounded the death knell for Rob’s campaign to be state treasurer.”
Another way to describe the final blow that finishes someone or something off is “put the last nail in the coffin,” as in “a huge budget cut put the last nail in the coffin of the city’s plan to erect a statue of the mayor’s dog.” Something not yet fatal but seriously damaging can be said to “drive another nail” in its coffin.
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Giving an Example an Indian Flavor" (November 15, 2013).
Thursday, August 7, 2014
adopted/adoptive: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, August 7, 2014
adopted/adoptive
Some people seem to think that “adoptive” is just a more fancy word than “adopted” and write about “the adoptive child.” But the two words have different meanings. Parents who do the adopting are adoptive, children are adopted.
Don’t call people adopting children “adaptive,” though. Adaptive parents would be parents that could adapt themselves to changing circumstances.
When a city, club, or other organization adopts you, it also is adoptive.
______________
Paul Brians' latest blog post centers on "centers around."
Some people seem to think that “adoptive” is just a more fancy word than “adopted” and write about “the adoptive child.” But the two words have different meanings. Parents who do the adopting are adoptive, children are adopted.
Don’t call people adopting children “adaptive,” though. Adaptive parents would be parents that could adapt themselves to changing circumstances.
When a city, club, or other organization adopts you, it also is adoptive.
______________
Paul Brians' latest blog post centers on "centers around."
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
oppose to/opposed to, supposed to: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, August 6, 2014
oppose to/opposed to, supposed to
Just as some people say “suppose to” when they mean “supposed to,” others say “oppose to” when they mean “opposed to.” You may be opposed to laugh tracks on TV comedy shows or wearing flip-flops at a wedding reception.
Some people go even further and get “oppose” and “suppose” all mixed up, saying things like “You’re oppose to get the oil changed in the car every 5,000 miles.” That should be “supposed to.”
Just as some people say “suppose to” when they mean “supposed to,” others say “oppose to” when they mean “opposed to.” You may be opposed to laugh tracks on TV comedy shows or wearing flip-flops at a wedding reception.
Some people go even further and get “oppose” and “suppose” all mixed up, saying things like “You’re oppose to get the oil changed in the car every 5,000 miles.” That should be “supposed to.”
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
scarcely: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, August 5, 2014
scarcely
“Scarcely” is a negative adverb and shouldn’t have another negative word used with it. “She couldn’t scarcely afford the bus fare” should be “She could scarcely afford the bus fare.”
“Scarcely” is a negative adverb and shouldn’t have another negative word used with it. “She couldn’t scarcely afford the bus fare” should be “She could scarcely afford the bus fare.”
Monday, August 4, 2014
prepositions (wrong): Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, August 4, 2014
prepositions (wrong)
One of the clearest indications that a person reads little and doesn’t hear much formal English is a failure to use the standard preposition in a common expression. You aren’t ignorant to a fact; you’re ignorant of it. Things don’t happen on accident, but by accident (though they do happen “on purpose”). There are no simple rules governing preposition usage: you just have to immerse yourself in standard English in order to write it naturally.
One of the clearest indications that a person reads little and doesn’t hear much formal English is a failure to use the standard preposition in a common expression. You aren’t ignorant to a fact; you’re ignorant of it. Things don’t happen on accident, but by accident (though they do happen “on purpose”). There are no simple rules governing preposition usage: you just have to immerse yourself in standard English in order to write it naturally.
Friday, August 1, 2014
don’t/doesn’t: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, August 1–3, 2014
don’t/doesn’t
The opposite of “do” is “do not,” usually contracted to “don’t.”
The opposite of “does” is “does not,” usually contracted to “doesn’t.”
“I do,” “you do,” “we do,” “they do,” “the birds do.” “It does,” “she does,” “he does,” “the flock does.”
So in standard English it’s “I don’t,” “you don’t,” “we don’t,” “the birds don’t” and “it doesn’t,” “he “doesn’t,” and “the flock doesn’t.”
But in many American dialects, “don’t” is used in contexts where “doesn’t” is standard: “she don’t drive,” “it don’t make no sense,” “the boss don’t treat us right.”
This is one of those patterns which is likely to make you sound less well educated and less sophisticated than standard English speakers. If you’re trying to shake off your dialect, learning when to use “doesn’t” is important.
You can usually tell when “doesn’t” is more appropriate by expanding the contracted form to two words: “does not.” It’s not “she do not appreciate my singing,” but “she does not appreciate it,” so it should be “she doesn’t appreciate it.”
But in popular song lyrics “don’t” prevails: “she don’t like the lights,” “he don’t love you like I love you,” “it don’t come easy.”
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Amiss Goes Awry" (October 27, 2012).
The opposite of “do” is “do not,” usually contracted to “don’t.”
The opposite of “does” is “does not,” usually contracted to “doesn’t.”
“I do,” “you do,” “we do,” “they do,” “the birds do.” “It does,” “she does,” “he does,” “the flock does.”
So in standard English it’s “I don’t,” “you don’t,” “we don’t,” “the birds don’t” and “it doesn’t,” “he “doesn’t,” and “the flock doesn’t.”
But in many American dialects, “don’t” is used in contexts where “doesn’t” is standard: “she don’t drive,” “it don’t make no sense,” “the boss don’t treat us right.”
This is one of those patterns which is likely to make you sound less well educated and less sophisticated than standard English speakers. If you’re trying to shake off your dialect, learning when to use “doesn’t” is important.
You can usually tell when “doesn’t” is more appropriate by expanding the contracted form to two words: “does not.” It’s not “she do not appreciate my singing,” but “she does not appreciate it,” so it should be “she doesn’t appreciate it.”
But in popular song lyrics “don’t” prevails: “she don’t like the lights,” “he don’t love you like I love you,” “it don’t come easy.”
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Amiss Goes Awry" (October 27, 2012).
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